Introduction to Vaginal Microbiota and its Relevance in Gynecological Health

Main Article Content

Fernando Hernandez Vespero
Edgar Josue Alvarez Alcala
Danielle López Fernández
Vicente Adrian Lopez Esparza
Alejandro Rafael Almeida Návar

Abstract

This article provides an introductory exploration into the vaginal microbiota and its significance in maintaining gynecological health. The vaginal microbiota plays a crucial role in sustaining a balanced and harmonious vaginal ecosystem, influencing various aspects of reproductive well-being. By examining the composition and dynamics of the vaginal microbiota, this article highlights its impact on preventing dysbiosis and associated infections. A deeper understanding of the intricate interactions within the vaginal microbiota can pave the way for targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting and preserving gynecological health.

Article Details

How to Cite
Fernando Hernandez Vespero, Edgar Josue Alvarez Alcala, Danielle López Fernández, Vicente Adrian Lopez Esparza, & Alejandro Rafael Almeida Návar. (2023). Introduction to Vaginal Microbiota and its Relevance in Gynecological Health. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research Studies, 3(9), 2080–2085. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmscrs/v3-i9-49
Section
Articles

References

I. Buchta V. Vaginal microbiome. Ceska Gynekol. 2018;83(5):371-379.

II. Villa P, Cipolla C, D’Ippolito S, et al. The interplay between immune system and microbiota in gynecological diseases: a narrative review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020;24(10):5676-5690. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202005_21359

III. Hemalatha R, Mastromarino P, Ramalaxmi BA, Balakrishna NV, Sesikeran B. Effectiveness of vaginal tablets containing lactobacilli versus pH tablets on vaginal health and inflammatory cytokines: a randomized, double-blind study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Off Publ Eur Soc Clin Microbiol. 2012;31(11):3097-3105.

doi:10.1007/s10096-012-1671-1

IV. Alvarez-Olmos MI, Barousse MM, Rajan L, et al. Vaginal lactobacilli in adolescents: presence and relationship to local and systemic immunity, and to bacterial vaginosis. Sex Transm Dis. 2004;31(7):393-400.

doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000130454.83883.e9

V. Martin HL, Richardson BA, Nyange PM, et al. Vaginal lactobacilli, microbial flora, and risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and sexually transmitted disease acquisition. J Infect Dis. 1999;180(6):1863-1868. doi:10.1086/315127

VI. Koumans EH, Sternberg M, Bruce C, et al. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the United States, 2001-2004; associations with symptoms, sexual behaviors, and reproductive health. Sex Transm Dis. 2007;34(11):864-869.

doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318074e565

VII. Bradshaw CS, Morton AN, Garland SM, Morris MB, Moss LM, Fairley CK. Higher-risk behavioral practices associated with bacterial vaginosis compared with vaginal candidiasis. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;106(1):105-114.

doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000163247.78533.7b

VIII. Armstrong E, Hemmerling A, Joag V, et al. Treatment Success Following Standard Antibiotic Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis Is Not Associated With Pretreatment Genital Immune or Microbial Parameters. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2023;10(1):ofad007. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofad007

IX. Haahr T, Zacho J, Bräuner M, Shathmigha K, Skov Jensen J, Humaidan P. Reproductive outcome of patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment and diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis or abnormal vaginal microbiota: a systematic PRISMA review and meta-analysis. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol. 2019;126(2):200-207.

doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15178

X. Pawlaczyk M, Friebe Z, Pawlaczyk MT, Sowinska-Przepiera E, Wlosinska J. The effect of treatment for vaginal yeast infection on the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat ADC. 2006;14(1):26-29.

XI. Vasundhara D, Raju VN, Hemalatha R, Nagpal R, Kumar M. Vaginal & gut microbiota diversity in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis & effect of oral probiotics: An exploratory study. Indian J Med Res. 2021;153(4):492-502.

doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_350_19

XII. Association of high-risk sexual behaviour with diversity of the vaginal microbiota and abundance of Lactobacillus - PubMed. Accessed August 18, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29095928/

XIII. Shipitsyna E, Khusnutdinova T, Budilovskaya O, et al. Bacterial vaginosis-associated vaginal microbiota is an age-independent risk factor for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in low-risk women, St. Petersburg, Russia. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Off Publ Eur Soc Clin Microbiol. 2020;39(7):1221-1230.

doi:10.1007/s10096-020-03831-w

XIV. Shardell M, Gravitt PE, Burke AE, Ravel J, Brotman RM. Association of Vaginal Microbiota With Signs and Symptoms of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Across Reproductive Stages. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2021;76(9):1542-1550. doi:10.1093/gerona/glab120

XV. Romero R, Hassan SS, Gajer P, et al. The vaginal microbiota of pregnant women who subsequently have spontaneous preterm labor and delivery and those with a normal delivery at term. Microbiome. 2014;2:18. doi:10.1186/2049-2618-2-18

XVI. Tamarelle J, Thiébaut ACM, de Barbeyrac B, Bébéar C, Ravel J, Delarocque-Astagneau E. The vaginal microbiota and its association with human papillomavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Infect Off Publ Eur Soc Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019;25(1):35-47. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2018.04.019

XVII. Russo R, Edu A, De Seta F. Study on the effects of an oral lactobacilli and lactoferrin complex in women with intermediate vaginal microbiota. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;298(1):139-145. doi:10.1007/s00404-018-4771-z

XVIII. Tomusiak A, Strus M, Heczko PB, et al. Efficacy and safety of a vaginal medicinal product containing three strains of probiotic bacteria: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2015;9:5345-5354. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S89214

XIX. Husain S, Allotey J, Drymoussi Z, et al. Effects of oral probiotic supplements on vaginal microbiota during pregnancy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with microbiome analysis. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;127(2):275-284. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15675

XX. Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M. Microbiota in vaginal health and pathogenesis of recurrent vulvovaginal infections: a critical review. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2020;19(1):5. doi:10.1186/s12941-020-0347-4

XXI. Singer M, Borg M, Ouburg S, Morré SA. The relation of the vaginal microbiota to early pregnancy development during in vitro fertilization treatment-A meta-analysis. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2019;48(4):223-229.

doi:10.1016/j.jogoh.2019.01.007

XXII. Norenhag J, Du J, Olovsson M, Verstraelen H, Engstrand L, Brusselaers N. The vaginal microbiota, human papillomavirus and cervical dysplasia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;127(2):171-180. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.15854

XXIII. Vitali B, Cruciani F, Baldassarre ME, et al. Dietary supplementation with probiotics during late pregnancy: outcome on vaginal microbiota and cytokine secretion. BMC Microbiol. 2012;12:236. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-12-236

XXIV. Sun D, Zhao X, Pan Q, et al. The association between vaginal microbiota disorders and early missed abortion: A prospective study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2022;101(9):960-971. doi:10.1111/aogs.14410

XXV. Hong X, Ma J, Yin J, et al. The association between vaginal microbiota and female infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2020;302(3):569-578. doi:10.1007/s00404-020-05675-3

XXVI. Kang GU, Jung DR, Lee YH, et al. Potential Association between Vaginal Microbiota and Cervical Carcinogenesis in Korean Women: A Cohort Study. Microorganisms. 2021;9(2):294. doi:10.3390/microorganisms9020294